Lead Driller

Ground Control; Dartford; On-site; GBP 42,000 - 52,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Company vehicle and fuel card

Training and professional development

Career progression

Job summary

Ground Control in Dartford is seeking an experienced Lead Cable Percussive Drilling Operative to lead and execute CP drilling on national geotechnical projects. You will supervise crews, plan site activities, maintain rigs, record samples, and ensure safety, quality and timely delivery across infrastructures and utilities work.

This hands-on leadership role offers opportunities to develop others, work on varied projects, and travel nationally.

Qualifications

• Proven experience in Cable Percussion drilling and ground investigations.
• Strong knowledge of open-hole drilling, core drilling and wireline core.
• Understanding of soil mechanics and geotechnical investigations.
• Experience operating CP drilling rigs and supervising site teams.

Responsibilities

• Operate and maintain cable percussion drilling rigs.
• Plan and prepare sites, ensuring equipment is correctly set up.
• Carry out open-hole and core drilling; record samples accurately.
• Lead drilling operatives and labourers; allocate daily tasks.
• Provide on-the-job training and mentoring to team members.
• Conduct equipment checks, maintenance and minor repairs.
• Ensure work meets project specs and timelines.
• Manage site safety, RAMS, risk assessments and PPE compliance.
• Maintain drilling records, sample logs and daily reports.
• Liaise with clients, landowners and project teams.
• Identify and resolve operational issues and report progress.

Skills

Cable percussion drilling

Ground investigations

Team supervision

HSE/CDM knowledge

Open-hole drilling

Core drilling

Site risk assessments

Planning & organising

Communication

Travel readiness

Driving licence

Education

NVQ Level 2/3 in Land Drilling or equivalent

Tools

Cable percussion rigs

Ground investigation software

Digital reporting tools

Job description

Job Role: Lead Cable Percussive Drilling Operative

Location: Dartford, with national travel

We're looking for an experienced Lead Cable Percussive (CP) Drilling Operative to join our Geotechnical Solutions team.

You'll lead and carry out cable percussion drilling operations across a range of ground investigation projects, ensuring work is delivered safely, efficiently and to a high standard.

Alongside operating drilling rigs, you'll supervise and support your team, maintain equipment and ensure accurate soil and rock sampling.

This is a hands-on leadership role, offering the opportunity to develop others and work on a variety of infrastructure and geotechnical projects.

What you'll do

• Operate and maintain cable percussion drilling rigs.
• Plan and prepare sites, ensuring equipment and machinery are correctly set up.
• Carry out open-hole drilling, core drilling and rock coring.
• Ensure soil and rock samples are collected, handled and recorded accurately.
• Lead and supervise drilling operatives and labourers.
• Allocate daily tasks and provide on-the-job training and mentoring.
• Complete equipment checks, maintenance and minor repairs.
• Ensure works are delivered to project specifications and timescales.
• Manage site safety, RAMS, risk assessments and PPE compliance.
• Maintain accurate drilling records, sample logs and daily reports.
• Liaise with clients, landowners and project teams.
• Identify and resolve operational issues and report progress.

What you'll get

• Company commercial vehicle and fuel card.
• Opportunity to work on varied national geotechnical projects.
• Training and professional development.
• Opportunity to develop leadership and technical skills.
• Employee benefits and discounts.

What we're looking for

• Proven experience in Cable Percussion drilling and ground investigations.
• Strong knowledge of open-hole drilling, core drilling and wireline coring.
• Understanding of soil mechanics, geology and geotechnical investigations.
• Experience operating and maintaining CP drilling rigs.
• Previous experience supervising or leading site teams.
• Good understanding of HSE, CDM and site risk assessments.
• Experience working on infrastructure, utilities or construction projects.
• Strong organisational, communication and problem-solving skills.
• Full UK driving licence and willingness to travel nationally.
• NVQ Level 2 or 3 in Land Drilling or equivalent.
• Experience in foundation piling, embankment stabilisation or slope stability.
• Familiarity with ground investigation software and digital reporting tools.